Filter.



T. J. LOFTUS.

FILTER. APPLICATION FILED MAY 31.1916.

Patented Dec. 12, 1916.

THOMAS J. LOFTUS, OF CASTELLA, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TOHARMON BELL, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

FILTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 12, 1916.

Application filed May 31, 1916. Serial No. 100,939.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, THOMAS J. LOFTUS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Castella, in the county of Shasta and State of California,have invented new and useful Improvements in Filters, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to a filter.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a Water filterof the porous stone type, and particularly to provide a structure whichwill permit a compact arrangement of a large number of filtering tubesof the character described, thus forming a comparatively large filteringarea within a small space.

Another object is to provide a simple clamping mechanism for sealing andsecuring the individual tubes and, furthermore, to provide means wherebythe flow of water may be reversed through the tubes to permit the sameto be easily and quickly cleaned when required.

Further objects will hereinafter appear.

The invention consists of the parts and the construction and combinationof parts as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, havingreference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a planview of the filter, showing the majority of the filtering tubes removed.Fig. 2 is a vertical cross section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is anenlarged view, partly in section, of one of the filtering tubes, showingthe position of the clamping members and sealing rings.

Referring to the drawings in detail, A indicates a tank or casing whichis divided into an upper and a lower chamber, such as indicated at 2 and3, by means of a partition plate 4. This plate is suitably securedwithin the tank, or, as here shown, upon a shoulder 5. The plate isprovided with a plurality of circular openings 6, shouldered, as at 7,to form seats for the porous stone filter tubes generally indicated atB. Each tube is provided with an annular flange 8 at the upper end whichis adapted to engage the shoulder 7 and support the tube, as shown inFig. 3. A gasket 9, interposed between the shoulder 7 and the annularflange 8 forms a seal at this point, While a gasket 10, interposedbetween the clamping ring 11,

it is possibl to make a very compact arrangement of a great number offiltering tubes. Each tube is closed and rounded, as at 18, at the lowerend, and is entirely opened, as indicated at 1 1, at the upper end.

The water to be filtered is admitted to the lower chamber 3 from asuitable source of supply through a pipe 15 and passes through the wallsof the several tubes to the interior of same where it collects andoverflows through the upper opening 1 1 and the upper chamber 2. It mayhere be stored or permitted to overflow through a pipe 16 which may beconnected with a storage tank or the like. The chamber 3 is alsoprovided with a discharge pipe 17, upon which is mounted a valve 18, andthe inlet pipe 15 is also provided with a valve 19 which is normallyopened to permit a constant flow to the chamber 3 and, through theseveral filtering tubes, will deliver the filtered water to the chamber2 and the overflow pipe 16. The impuritles, such as earthy solids,organic growths, and the like, contained in the incoming water deliveredto the chamber 3 will, while the filter is operating, collect on theexterior surface of the several filtering tubes and must, therefore,necessarily be re moved from time to time to permit a perfect operationof the filter. This is accomplished by closing the valve 19 and openingthe valve 18 on the discharge pipe 17. This will permit the watercontained in the upper chamher 2 and the filtering tube B to flow bygravity in a reverse direction, thus dislodging the solids andimpurities collected on the exterior surfaces of the tubes. The matterthus dislodged or removed will consequently escape through the pipe 17or collect in the bottom of the chamber 3 where it is quickly removed byopening the valve 19 while valve 18 is still open.

The filter constructed as here shown is particularly adapted for use inconnection with large filtration plants as it provides a large filteringarea within a comparatively small space. The tubes may be of any di- ,1tea, that ameter and length desired and the height of the chamber 3 mayin some instances be sufficient to permit the operators to enter thechamber and scrub the exterior surfaces of the tubes, if desired.

In the present instance a single partition plate a is provided which is,as previously described, supported by the shoulder 5 and may also besupported by a plurality of stay bolts 20, arranged as shown in Figs. 1and 2. It is also possible that one or more 01": the plates l may beemployed particularly in large. sized units. While the filter, aspreviously described, is particularly adapted for large filtrationplants, it

is obvious that the number of tubesandthe v siZe oiisame may be redeeedto such an exe conveniently used for inary household purposes and it isalso possible that the filter as a whole may be used for other liquidsthan water, as described.

The clamping mechanism, comprising the ring 11 and the engaging clamps12, forms a separate unit with relation to each tube. It is, therefore,possible to quickly remove any tube without disturbing the others. It isalso possible to plug any opening in which a filtering tube is mountedit it is desired to decrease or increase the number of same.

The materials and finish of the several parts of the filter are such asthe experience and judgment of the manufacturer may dietate.

I wish it understood that various changes in form, proportions and minordetails of construction may be resorted to within the scope of theappended claims and that I do not wish to limit myself to the specificdesi n and construction here shown.

t aving. thus described my invention, What I claim and desire to secureby Letters Patent is 1. In a filtering apparatus, a horizontallydisposed tank having a shoulder between its top and bottom, a plateinsertible in the Gopies of this patent may be obtained for tank throughthe top thereof and seating on the shoulder, said plate having a seriesof apertures each of which is surrounded by a larger cutaway partforming a shoulder, tubes open at their tops and closed at their bottomsand having their tops formed with fianges engaging with the last namedshoulders, and individual means for retaining the tubes in position onthe plates whereby each tube is removable from the plate independent ofthe others and may be all removed from the tank by upward movement ofthe plate.

2. In a filtering apparatus, a tank, a plate in the tank having acountersunk opening forming a shoulder, a tube open at its top andclosed at its bottom and having a flange at its top engaged with saidshoulder, a gasket seated on top of the flanges, a clamping ring seatedon top of the gasket, and means to secure the clamping ring in positionincluding L-shaped members each ot which has one le resting on top ofthe ring and its other leg bearing on the plate, and screws secured tothe plate and extending through the first named of the L-members andhaving heads engaging the latter.

3. In a filtering apparatus, a tank, a plate therein having shoulderedapertures, tubes closed at their bottoms and open at their tops andhaving flanges at their tops engaged in the shouldered apertures, agasket for each tube seated on the flange thereof, a clamping ring oneach gasket, and a series of independent clamps connected to the plateand movable to engage with the several clamping rings and away from thelatter to allow of independent removal of the rings.

In testimony whereoi I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

THOMAS J. LOFTUS.

Witnesses:

JOHN H. I-Innnrno, IV. W'. HEALEY.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). G.

